David Thompson Brigades Arrive North Bay

On Wednesday evening, August 11, 2010, the David Thompson Brigade arrived in North Bay as part of their journey from Thunder Bay to Lachine this summer. Following on the initial group effort from Rocky Mountain House to Thunder Bay in 2008, this summer's paddling is towards completing the cross Canada trip.

Meet Boona

At 29 feet long and 325 pounds, "Boona" the canoe was one of the largest canoes through La Vase Portages in the last few years. While their North Bay visit was officially a rest day, Friends of La Vase took advantage of the day to portage the canoe across La Vase Portages on the Brigades tracing of the trans-Canada Voyageur trade route.

Great Day to Paddle

Forecast was originally for overcast skies but sunshine and humid weather made a tough days portaging even tougher.

Learning La Vase Means Mud

To anyone who has crossed "Sucking Swamp" La Vase in French meant a foul smelling muck. To the Voyageurs who portaged on a regular basis, La Vase Portages was named after the long muddy sections of swamp that needed to be portaged to get between Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake.